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Poly(A) size class distribution in globin mRNAs as a function of time

Abstract

STUDIES on the mouse globin mRNAs have shown that specific size classes of poly(A) exist in a population of labelled globin mRNAs (refs 1 and 2). These size classes are present in both α and β globin mRNAs (ref. 1) and the overall size of the poly(A) region in these mRNAs decreases with time1. As the three discrete size classes previously reported were observed at one labelling time, we determined whether these same size classes occur at various stages of messenger maturation, as their presence during the overall shortening process could be indicative of a specific degradatory mechanism. The presence of limiting steps in the shortening of the poly(A) region of mouse globin mRNAs is interesting in the light of possible shortening mechanisms and their relationship to poly(A) binding proteins3,4 and mRNA stability.

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References

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GORSKI, J., MORRISON, M., MERKEL, C. et al. Poly(A) size class distribution in globin mRNAs as a function of time. Nature 253, 749–751 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/253749a0

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